Great 8: Sabres extend win streak to move closer to playoff position

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres resumed their winning ways in returning from Christmas break on an accelerated path toward playoff contention.

Playing without captain Rasmus Dahlin in the lineup, Buffalo’s other top-pair defenseman Mattias Samuelsson stepped up with a goal and two assists for the first three-point game of his career as Buffalo won its eighth game in a row, 4-1 against the Boston Bruins in front of a festive crowd at sold-out KeyBank Center on Saturday night.

Ryan McLeod, Peyton Krebs and Samuelsson scored within a 6:15 span early in the second period as the Sabres rallied to extend their longest winning streak in seven seasons, and equal the second-longest run of victories in the NHL this season.

With a 19-14-4 record, the Sabres jumped three teams to move into ninth in the Eastern Conference, equaling eighth-place Florida with 42 points in the standings, but with fewer regulation victories giving the Panthers the final wild-card spot in the playoff table.

Josh Norris added an empty-net goal, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves for his second victory during the win streak, as Buffalo had an 34 to 22 advantage in shots on goal.

Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn each had two assists, and Krebs added an assist for his first multi-point game of the season.

Dahlin missed the game due while traveling back from Sweden to tend to his fiancee over the holiday break.

Samuelsson, in addition to his career-high scoring night, led the Sabres with six hits, to go along with two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating.

Up next

The Sabres begin a three-game road trip Monday night in St. Louis.

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